Power driven metal can opener



Feb. 25, 1958 F. M. SARFF POWER DRIVEN METAL CAN OPENER Filed April 30, 1956 POWER DRIVEN METAL CAN OPENER Forest M. Sarlf, Sepulveda, Calif.

Application April 30, 1956, Serial No. 581,578

1 Claim. (Cl. 30-4) This invention relates to improvements in a metal can opener and has particular reference to a metal can opener that is operated by an electric motor or any source of mechanical power.

Another object is to produce a metal can opener that may be attached to and operated by the ordinary home food mixer.

A still further object is to produce a metal can opener which is simple in construction and positive in operation.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. I is a vertical cross section of the can opener,

Fig. II is a view taken on line AA of Fig. I, and in the direction of arrow,

Fig. III is a view taken on line B--B of Fig. I and in the direction of arrow.

Referring to Fig. I, part 1 is the supporting base of the can opener. In this base, 1, is a shaft, 2, with hearing, 3, between base, 1, and shaft, 2. Upon the driven end of shaft, 2, is a suitable connection to connect shaft, 2, to the drive shaft of a food mixer, 4, of the type used in the home or any source of a rotating power drive. Upon the other end of shaft, 2, is mounted a serrated drive wheel, 5. Upon base, 1, is mounted a pair of ears, 6, and 7. Bars 6 and 7 support shaft, 8, which, in turn, supports handle, 9. Also, upon ear 7 is placed a stop, 10. Around shaft 8 is placed a spring, 11, washer, 12, and pin, 13. Spring 11 serves to hold handle 9 near ear 7. Into the base of handle 9 is placed a shaft, 14, which is set on a slight angle from shaft 8. Upon this shaft 14 is placed a cutting wheel, 15, which is held thereon by washer, 16 and pin, 17. Also upon the base of handle 9 is placed a guard, 18, part way around wheel for protection of articles getting caught under the wheel 15. Part 19 is a guard around serrated wheel 5. Part 20 is atcnt "ice a switch, a rheostat, or any means of controlling the speed of the driving motor.

The operation of my power operated metal can opener is as follows:

Assuming this can opener is in place upon a food mixer, the outer end of handle 9 is raised about which, in turn, raises cutter wheel 15. Then the outside of the upper rim of a metal can is placed just over the top of the serrated drive wheel 5. Then handle 9 is pulled down until the base of the handle touches the stop 10. As this is done, cutter wheel 15 will be inserted through the lid of the metal can. Then, as rotation power is applied to the serrated drive wheel 5, drive wheel 5 will rotate the metal can. As the can is rotated under cutting wheel 15, cutting wheel 15 will cut the metal lid where the lid meets the side of the metal can. When the metal can has made a complete revolution, the power is cut off. Then the handle 9 may be raised, causing wheel 15 to be raised, thus releasing the metal can.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example, and that various changes relative to the material, size, shape, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

In a power driven metal can opener the combination of a housing, means to support said housing, a drive shaft positioned within said housing, means to connect said drive shaft to a source of rotating power, a drive wheel capable of turning a metal can past said housing positioned upon the outer end of said drive shaft, a second shaft positioned within said housing near to and parallel to said drive shaft, a lever with its base positioned upon the outer end of said second shaft, a spring capable of normally holding said base of said lever near said housing, a shaft positioned upon the outer side of the base of said lever and set at a slight angle from said second shaft, a metal cutting disc positioned upon said third mentioned shaft, a stop to limit the rotation of said lever at a predetermined position, and guards to protect all moving parts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,939,349 Holman Dec. 12, 1933 1,989,807 Jeppsson Feb. 5, 1935 2,555,931 Raab June 5, 1951 2,703,448 Balson Mar. 8, 1955 2,745,174 Herrick May 15, 1956 

